Freedom from work was glorious!

Though Martha and Jason didn't dislike their kitchen jobs at Lava Springs nearly as much as they had that first week of work, only working until one that afternoon made them quite the happy pair. After changing back into their normal clothes, Jason drove them back into town to the tennis courts near the park for a friendly game before meeting with Kelsi .

Although Jason was every bit the jock as much so as the rest of his friends, tennis wasn't his game but Martha insisted that it would be the fun. He thought that Martha was pretty great and enjoyed just spending time with her even if it meant being humiliated at tennis.

He was much better at badminton.

' Come on, Jase, ' called out Martha , her perky ponytail bopping along with her as she served the ball with gusto,' are you just going to let me trounce you ? '

Jason ducked as the ball landed behind him and he sent her a sheepish grin.

'Yeah, I think that's a good bet,' answered Jason, tugging on his ball cap,' I told you I'm really not into this game. Basketball is my game.'

'Then I'm just the girl to shake you up a bit, Cross 'teased Martha, lowering her eyes,' if that's okay with you.'

A wide, goofy grin spread across Jason's face. 'It's very okay with me, Martha '

He couldn't believe that he had wasted so much time during the school year wondering about Martha and if she could be interested in a simple guy like him. She was cute, funny, a really smart girl, and he didn't figure he had a shot with her .

Thank God for summer and Martha making the first move because Jason felt as if everything was suddenly like it should be between them. Romance came natural. They still might be brand new dating but they were good.

' You know , I am kind of glad we're stuck in the kitchen most of the time ,' decided Jason, leaning on his tennis racket ,' Danforth is about to lose his mind dealing with all of those demanding guests and Troy is like being sucked into waiting on Sharpay all of the time .'

Martha lowered her own racket, crossing the court to speak to her boyfriend.

' I hate to say it but Troy didn't look like it was killing him the other morning when he joined Sharpay and her Dad for breakfast ,' admitted Martha , who had been refilling the bread basket that day ,' Fulton didn't say a word about it either .'

'Mr. Evans seemed decent enough,' replied Jason, trying to put a positive spin on it ,' it's probably nothing like we're thinking '

Martha leaned across the net to kiss him, lightly. ' That's why I like you so much, Jason, but I'm afraid it is exactly what it looks like which is Sharpay trying to sink her claws into Troy'

Jason tugged on the bright fuchsia bandana that decorated her hair. 'Troy is crazy about Gabriella and he mostly ignores Sharpay's moves at school. He is just doing his job because the Evans pay us to work at the club '

Martha shook her head.' I hope your right but I don't think it looks good.'

Don't go mentioning that to Zeke ,' begged Jason , thinking of his good natured friend ,' Zeke is already kind of jealous of Troy being forced to spend time with Sharpay . Cuz you know, Zeke thought he'd have a chance to try to win her over this summer and all.'

'I feel bad for Zeke but he must have blinders on because Sharpay doesn't have a sweet, even nice bone in her body. That viper is never going to give him the time of day '

Jason lifted his shoulders then shrugged. 'Zeke's like a brother to me, I'm not going to crush his dream by being a crappy friend. If Sharpay decides to grow a heart this summer, there is the slightest possibility of her and Zeke maybe happening '

Zeke had encouraged him about giving dating a shot with Martha and that was turning out really good. Jason wasn't as confident as the rest of his buddies as far as dating went and didn't' often pick up on the obvious clues either.

He and Kelsi were a good example of that – last year he had asked her out on a date, they had went out, and discovered they had zero chemistry and nothing in common except the shy part so, they agreed to just stay friends . However he had always kind of liked Martha but Jason knew that girls had all sorts of crazy rules that made no sense and Martha was Kelsi's best friend so he hadn't done anything up until now.

Jason tugged off his cap, blinked at Martha in the bright sunlight, chewing on a thought.

'This…us….i mean, it isn't just like a summer fling. Right?

Martha's mouth pulled down in a puzzled look.' You think that I am the type of girl that just wants to have a fun, summer fling and go our separate ways when the summer is over? '

'Uh, no,' mustered Jason, thrown for a loop at the tone of her voice that sounded angry,' no to both. I didn't mean anything or that you or I would want that because I don't …. I don't even know why I said that. I'm stupid.'

Martha was a thinker which always served her well at school but in life, she sometimes overthought things too much. She weighed the possibility of being mad at him for even suggesting a fling in the first place reconsidered again because it came from Jason.

It was his boyish charm that attracted her and deep down she knew it had been a harmless question undoubtedly picked up from dumb boy locker room talk or something. It wasn't worth making it their first fight or risking their relationship over it either.

Martha walked briskly over to him, tennis forgotten, and draped her arms around his neck.

'How about we just be a couple and not sweat the small stuff '

As they sealed it with a long kiss, everything out faded into the black.

*****************************************Break******************************

Kelsi still hadn't been able to shake off her weird mood , her fingers still tingled from where Ryan Evans had kissed them, and she couldn't seem to concentrate on her music if she tried which annoyed her to no end . Music was her life and she lived and breathed it .

There were always music and lyrics playing around in her head but they were all jumbled up. After her breakfast at Hubs, Kelsi had wandered into the local thrift store perusing the aisles for hidden treasures but only finding a pair of bright yellow plastic dangly earrings for Martha and an ivory lace colored hat for herself. She had spent a whopping three dollars.

It still wasn't quite time to meet with her friends so the composer decided to check out the local Music store which wasn't busy this afternoon except for a group of young middle schoolers studying the piano sheet music and an older man testing out the electric guitars .

Glancing at the beautiful baby Grand in the corner then noticing the old school synthizer in the middle of the store, Kelsi couldn't resist the lure of it. Though it was much bigger than her own electric keyboard at home, there was something appealing about the bulky music machine.

Kelsi tossed her bag on the floor, turned on the keyboard, her fingers hovering over the keys, as she smoothed her lips in a thin line, contemplating a song to get the feel of it then she just knew. It was a song that her Mom sang over and over when she was trying to get through helping a lost teen down at the Halfway house or just feeling a little down.

It was a song that always made her feel better and since Kelsi couldn't put a name to her own feelings at the moment, it seemed to fit the bill perfect.

'Another turn, another choice to make '

Which one is the answer?

Which one should I take? '

'Sometimes I wonder if it's always been this way 'sang Ryan, from across the room,' come what may '

Surprised evident on her face, Kelsi continued playing, adding the next verse to the song as Ryan joined her on the bench,' Come what, I'll be waiting for it '

'I know the wind that brought it didn't mean me any harm '

Her lips curved, slightly. 'It won't really matter, it's up to me '

'Come what may '

Kelsi stopped playing turning slightly to look at him.' Are you following me, Ryan? I thought you'd be scurrying back to the country club …'

A slow smile crossed his handsome face as he shook his head. 'No, I, uh, needed to get my head together better before I went back to the club and my sister. I've kind of been just moping around town then I noticed you in the window and couldn't resist '

She folded her hands together.' Oh '

Kelsi gave him a nervous smile.' How do you know this song? It is a personal favorite of mine but it's not exactly something I figured anyone else would rock out too '

Ryan grinned at her, making her blush, prettily. ' My Mother had a crush on Danny Amatullo so she made me watch the whole Fame TV series ,' explained Ryan, hesitantly ,' I wanted to be a triple threat like Leroy and be as cool as Danny . '

He gave an embarrassed laugh as Ryan tugged off his hat. 'I however do not have his Italian charm obviously since you know, not Italian, and girls would rather date me for my money than for myself. I don't seem to be making much of a good impression on you either '

She hoped he couldn't see the flush on her cheeks brought on by his closeness and the compliment. Kelsi found herself weakening to his charms and her heart tugged a bit that he knew one of her favorites too. Maybe they did have something in common, after all.

Was she being fair to Ryan?

'I might have overreacted a little bit, Ryan,' admitted Kelsi, tentatively,' I want to believe that you aren't using me for your own manipulative reasons but you make it really difficult.'

' I deserved that but I want to change , Kelsi,' confessed Ryan , holding her gaze ,' I am trying because it's become very clear to me that I need to do my own thing . Be my own person and I can't be that guy if I let my sister pull my strings all of the time.'

Kelsi nodded.' It'd be nice not to argue with you every time we see one another '

'Could we try this again, Kelsi ? '

'I suppose third time is the charm …maybe '

She may be losing her mind but Ryan Evans had gotten under her skin somehow and Kelsi was intrigued enough to wonder how they might be if they were together. It certainly couldn't hurt to try to test out the waters and see for herself.

'We could maybe go to the matinée' suggested Ryan,' how do you feel about old movies? '

'I like them '

'High Society is playing downtown,' replied Ryan who loved the screwball romantic musicals of the past. He had been inspired by all the great dancers like Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire,' that's a classic. We could go see it together …..If you wanted to...With me '

'I would but could we see it another time? 'Stumbled Kelsi, 'I'm supposed to meet Martha and Jason today or it'd be fine. Unless you have to go back to your families club tonight?'

' Well I am supposed to take some things back to Mom so probably ' Ryan could have kicked himself for his poor timing but he knew he would be expected ,' or you know I have a copy of High Society on DVd, maybe we could watch it together one night after your shift ends '

'Sure '

Feeling his confidence rising, Ryan let out a happy sigh that things might be finally starting to go his way. He and Kelsi might have gotten off on really rocky ground but now it felt as if they have gotten past, well; the past and she agreed to go out on a date with him.

' Good ' declared Ryan as his phone blasted loudly in the semi quiet shop as he pulled the cell out of his pocket all the while sending Kelsi an embarrassed smile ,' Hello '

Derby's smooth voice trilled over the phone. 'Ryan, darling, is there a problem? You've been gone well over an hour and a half and I've just been informed I need to plan a soiree for your father's business associates tonight. Your sister is much too busy doing her own thing to be of help to me and would you be a dear , hurry back and give me a hand '

Ryan let out a groan at his moms request for help. Leave it to his father to make summer family time into a working summer to bring in more business but then he should know better than to expect anything different from the man. It also meant that his Mom would be working to make this soiree a class act all by herself without putting extra burden on the staff.

Derby had spent summers when she was younger working at a country club so she was very vocal and hands on when it came to running Lava Springs herself. She wouldn't have any qualms in about jumping in and arranging flowers either.

'Sorry, Mom, I was. I mean, I'm with Kelsi ,' stammered Ryan, nervous all of the sudden ,' I got distracted . You know, Mom, I bet Taylor would be just great at helping you get things ready and I'm sure Mr. Fulton could take over her duties while she helps you '

' Taylor has her hands full with Tilky Braden ,' explained Derby with a long suffering sigh ,' the woman is a menace but that young lady is handling her like a pro . I wouldn't dare deprive her of the massive tip she'll likely receive …I am sure you and I will be able to handle things just fine '

Ryan adored his mother and knew he couldn't say no, he wasn't that selfish.

Not to mention that he knew there was zero chance of Sharpay making any effort to help , not when she expected to lounge by the pool being waited on like a princess that she thought she was .

'I'll be back in thirty minutes '

'Thank you, Duckie '

Ryan hung up the phone and sent Kelsi a chagrined look.' Sorry about that but it was my Mom panicking because Dad sprung on her that he wants a fancy cocktail party for some of his business friends at Lava Springs for tonight. '

'You're going back to give your Mom a hand with it? Wouldn't it be easier if she just put the staff to work on the party '

'Oh, Mom will have the kitchen staff prepare a special menu for this but she won't drag the other workers in to help with this thing,' explained Ryan, knowingly,' I'll help my mother with the rest of the stuff '

'That is really sweet of you '

This time, Ryan colored. 'Yeah, well, it's my Mom 'he continued,' Uh, I'm really sorry I can't stick around, Kelsi, but I need to get back to the club '

'I understand. We'll talk later, Ryan '

He grazed his knuckles lightly across her cheek and heard her sigh.' Count on it '

As Ryan left the shop, Kelsi moved her hands over the keys, feeling the intensity that hung between them, bringing her back around to the song that connected them.

Come what may

I'll be waiting for it

I'll be okay

Kelsi rested her hands on the keyboard , a wistful sigh escaping her mouth ,' I think the wind brought me Ryan Evans '